Friday, September 15, 1944

DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Legal Chronicle

16

ROSH HASHONAH
5705 GREETINGS 1944

"Am I My Brother's
Keeper?"

Far back in the dim past, there arose that question: "Am I My Brother's Keeper?"

It was a defensive question — but the implied answer then was, "Yes you are your brother's keeper!"

Down through the centuries, men who would shun their responsibility have asked that question and

then answered it with a "No"—

And yet that negative reply has never solved the problem nor proven a true answer.

Selfishness toward our fellow man, regardless of his color, race or creed, says "No"—

Unselfishness answers "Yes"—

The time has come wh the advanced thought of the human rice must be convinced that we are

our brothers' keepers—that the progress of humanity depends upon giving—not getting. Not how

much can we get—but how much can we give must be the guiding light of the new world which

even now promises to arise from the ashes of the old. If we emerge from this holocaust still a

selfish, grasping, seeking world, then the misery, the grief, the blood of the millions of humans will

all have gone for naught.

But if we emerge into a new world—a world which is based on giving—not getting—then we who

survive may well say: "They paid a tremendous price—but they gained much. We owe it to that
martyred multitude to assume the responsibility of bringing into reality that ideal for which they have

given the supreme sacrifice".

This then should be the thought of a newer and better civilization:

We are indeed our brothers' keepers—as our brothers are our keepers—and our

thought must be not how much can we get—but how much can we give—not only

in the abstract realm of internationalism but in the concrete realm of our own

day-to-day lives.

PEACE • SECURITY

FREEDOM • JUSTICE